Molding machine for molding building units



Aug. 1, 1939. G. E. WILSON MOLDING MACHINE FOR MOLDING BUILDING UNITSFiled Jan. 28, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet l wmw Aug. 1, 1939. G. E. WILSON2,168,146

' MOLDING mcxn'm FOR MOLDING BUILDING .mu'rs Filed Jan. 28, 1957GSheets-Sheet 2 I 1 gea i gezidzia'ofi,

Aug. 1, 1939. v G. E WILSON 53.

MOLDING MACHINE FOR MOLDING BUILDING UNITS Filed Jan. 28, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 3 mssfssssm N a Q Aug. 1', 1939. G. E. WILSON I 2,

MOLDING MACHINE FOR MOLDING- BUILDING UNITS Filed Jan. 28," 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Nmw N? QM Mum NQ MMN Gum MW 6 She ets-Sheet 5 I G. E.WILSON MOLDING MACHINE FOR MOLDING BUILDING UNITS Aug. 1, 1939.

Fil ed Jam. 28, I937 G E. WILSON MOLDING MACHINE FQR MOLDING BUILDINGUNITS- Aug. 1., 1939.

Filed Jan. 23, 1937 e Sheets-Sheet. 6

geoggefiz/zdsozg Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNIT ED S TAT E S,

PATENT oericc MOLDING MACHINE FOR MOLDING. BUILD- ING UNITS' ApplicationJanuary 28, 1937, SerialLNo..122,725,

Claims. (01. 25 -41) This invention relates to molding'machinesformolding building'units suchas bricks; blockstile and the like.

The present embodiment of the invention re- 5; lates particularly to:machines for molding such building units from cement, but it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to use for building unitsof cement and may be used for building units-of clay orothersuitablematerial equally well as for. the manufacture of such units ofcementitious material. Because the machine is not limitedin use toanyspecificplastic mate-- rial, itwill be hereinafter'referredtoas'ablock molding machine, the term block being. underlli, stood tocomprehend all such building units which are ordinarily known as bricks,building blocks), tile either solid or hollow andother analogousproducts. correspondingly, the articles manufactured by the machine willbe termed 2o generically blocks or building blocks and these terms aretobe understoodas including any and all-plastic molded articles-used in'the construction of buildings andthe like and the ornamentation thereof:

25 One important object of" this invention-is-to provide, a novelarrangementof block molding machine whereinstructural and ornamentalblocks may be madein an improved and expeditious-manner.

30, A second important objectrof-"t'he invention is to provide, in amachinefor the purpose-set forth, a mold. carrier wherebymolds aresupported to move bytherevolution of the mold carrier. parta series of.stationswhereat the, operations. of, filling, tamping, stripping. andcleaning or changing may be. successively performed A third importantobject of the invention is to. provide a novel arrangementof moldcarrier and filling andtampingmechanism wherein molds for 4o K thispurpose. are, filled and tamped by improved conveyor and tampingmechanisms.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists ingeneral of certain novel details of construction and combinations andar- 45. rangements of elements hereinafter fully described, illustrated"in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed'out iritheappended claims.

In the accompanying'drawings like characters 50- of reference indicatelike parts in the several views; and:-

Figure'l is a generalplan view'of-a machin embodying'this invention,

Figure 2' is anenlarged fragmentary" section 55. on line 2-2, Figure 1,the sectionshowing merely the main. portion of a mold support andcarrier usedin connection with this invention,

Fig-ure-3.is a-section on line 33, Figure 2,

Figure 4-is afrontelevationtof themold stripping mechanism usedinthisinvention, the view showing the mold support-on the mold carrier beforeinversion, the mold carrier arm beings'nown but the remainder of theapparatus behind the stripping device being omitted.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section on line 99, Figure'l,

Figure 6 is a section on line Ifll0, Figure 5,

Figure -7 isa'viewsimilar to Figurel but showingthe mold ini theposition as. shown when stripped fromthe blocks-anclthe strippingmechanism-in position toaccord therewith,

Figure 8 is: anenlarged detail section on line l2-'-I2, Figure '7,

Figure 9 is a'section'on line I3-'l-3, Figure 7;

Figure. 10is a side elevation ofthe stripping device with-theparts inthe'position' as shown in Figure-4",

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the stripping device with the partsinthe position shown in Figure",

Figure- 12 is a detail section on line 16-46; Figure'l,

FigurelB-isan enlargeden'd view of the mechanism. at each end ofthevarious molds used in connection with this'invention; one of the moldsbeing shown in connection therewith,

Figure 14 is a side elevationof an' end' portion of the mold showing themechanism of' Figure 13 in its position relative thereto,

Figure 15 is a'sectionn line Iii--49; Figure 13,

Figure 16 isa section on'line -2il, Figure 14,

Figure 17 is a section on line M m, Figure 13,

Figure 18-is a plan view of' the parts shown in Figure'14,

. Figure 19is a section on line 2323, Figure 15.

In the embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed; it will beobserved from Figure 1 that the apparatus consists ingeneral'of fourmain parts. There is provided centrally of'the entire apparatus a moldsupport and" carrier indicated in general at A, a tamping deviceindicated in general at B, a mold filling device indicated in generalat'C and a stripping mechanism indicated in-generalat D. In connection withthese mechanisms-there are-used molds, indicated in general at' E ofvarious arrangements so that blocks of difierent sizes and dimensions,bothsolid andhol low or cored can be used with the machine.

As shownin Figure. 1, it will be noted that a mold- E isshown at theupper right end portion,

the portion of the mold being at what is preferably termed a cleaning orreplacing station F. The tamping device and loading device are shown ata second station G and the stripping mechanism at a third station H,these stations being located around the center of the machine with theircenter lines spaced at 120 from each other.

The mold support and carrier comprises in general a central portion Iii.This central portion I6 includes a base member having a body I I andfrom the lower edge of this body projects a peripheral flange I2 whichis fixed on a suitable foundation I 3 by holding-down bolts I 4 of theusual type. The body I I has a reduced upper end I5 so that a shoulderI6 is provided between the main portion of the body and this upper end.On the shoulder I6 is seated a tubular journal member I1 preferablyformed of a section of iron piping though of course it may be made fromany other suitable material. The upper end of this journal member I1 isclosed by a cap or cover I3 having a depending flange l9 which fits downaround the outer side of the member I1 and is there secured, by anysuitable means such as by welding, bolting, screwing or the like. Fixedto the lower end of the member I1 is an annular angle member having aleg 20 which extends around the member I1 and from the lower end ofwhich extends a horizontal leg 2| forming a peri pheral flange for themember I1 at its lower end. Seated on the upper face of the flange 2! isa track guide 22 having the upper part of its sides beveled as at 23.Surrounding the member I1 in spaced concentric relationthereto is a bodymember 24. Secured to the lower end of this body member is an annularangle member hav ing a vertical leg 25 which fits against the outersurface of the body I6. This angle member also has a horizontal leg 26which extends inwardly to lie over the flange 2| and in the bottom ofthis leg 26 is formed a groove 21 having beveled sides corresponding tothe beveled sides 23 of the track 22. This track guide 22 fits-in thisgroove and the body 24 is thus supported rotatably at its lower end bythe coaction of the parts ZZand 26. Fixed upon the cover or closure I8is a track guide 28 sim lar to the guide 22 and like it' having beveledsides 25. Extending downwardly from the track guide 28 is a peripheralflange 3B which fits against the inner surface of the member 24 and thusassists in holding the member 24 concentric with the member I1. On theupper end of the body member 24 is fixed a closure 3| which has adepending peripheral flange 32 extending down around the outside of themember 24. This flange being suitably secured to the member 24 by anydesired means. A track 33 of annular form is carried by the underside ofthe closure 3I, being supported therefrom as by the bolts 34. This track33 is provided with a groove 35 having beveled sides and the groove 35and track guide 28 cooperate to support the upper end of the body 24. Bymeans of the beveled arrangement of the groove and'track guides thebody'24 may freely revolve on the journal member I1. Surrounding thevertical leg 25 of the lower groove member is an angle member having avertical'leg 36 fixed to the leg 35 by suitable bolts as at 31. Thisangle member has a horizontal outwardly extending leg 38 forming aperipheral flange and the leg 38 is provided with beveled gear teeth 39.Mounted on the foundation I3 is a bearing stand 46 wherein is journaleda shaft M which extends radially of the body 24. On the inner end ofthis shaft is fixed a beveled pinion 42 which meshes with the gearformed by the teeth 39. On the outer end of the shaft l! is fixed adriving wheel here shown as a sprocket 43 and this sprocket receivespower from any suitable motor source. Inasmuch as this entire machinemay be driven either from a single motor by suitabiegearing or theseparate elements may be driven from individual motors it is not deemednecessary here to show the particular motor means employed for the driveespecially since such means are old and well known.

Fixed to the upper part of the body 24 is a series of castings 44connected at their proximal ends to the flanges 45. These castings arethree in number and each covers one-third of the periphery of the body24. From each of these castings extends a series of parallel moldsupporting arms 46. There thus being three sets of these moldingsupporting arms.

At the station G is arranged a tamping means B, and a mold filling meansC driven from an electric motor I52. The said means B and C areconventionally shown in Figure 1.

After the molds have been filled and tamped they next pass to thestripping station H; The stripping mechanism located at this station isbest seen in Figures 1 and 8 to 16 inclusive.

' The stripping mechanism' consists of a pair of vertical frame membersI56 and I51 firmly fixed to the base adjacent the path of the moldscarried by the mold carrier I0. These members are connected at theirupper ends by a trans verse frame member I58 preferably of angle ironand having a vertical flange I59 riveted or bolted to the members I56and I 51" and a horizontal flange I68 extending forwardly from the loweredge of the flange I59; Secured to the vertical flange I59 is a pair ofspaced guide members I SI of tubular form, these members being providedwith flanges I62 and secured in place by bolts or rivets I63. Throughthe members I6I extend vertical plungers 54 and the lower ends of theseplungers are connected by a cross bar I65. Through the cross bar I 65are screwed a series of pusher elements I66. By reason of the screwthreaded connection of these elements with the bar I55 their extensionbelow the bar may be: regulated, being desirable for the purposehereinafter explained. Normally the cross bar I65 and pusher elementsI66 are held in raised position as shown in Figure 4. In order to holdthese parts raised there is secured to the flange I60 depending bracketsI61 to which are pivoted depending latch members I68 having bevelednoses I69 engaging beneath the member I65. Each of these latches I68 isprovided with a handle portion I 10 extending beneath the flange I60 andon this handle portion is a pin I1I which extends upwardly through asuitable opening in the flange I66. Around this pin between the handleI16 and flange I66 is a coiled spring I12 which urges the latch I68 intoposition for engaging the member I 55. Furthermore each of these latchescarries a stop 13 lim ting the action of the spring I12.

At the forward part of the stripping mechanism is a pair of shortvertical frame members I14 and aligned to the rear of the frame membersI14 is a similar pair of frame members I15 (see Figures 11 and 12). Theframe members I14 and I15 are connected by horizontal channel membersI16 which are bolted, riveted or otherwise suitably secured to themembers I14 and I15. These channel members I16 are connectedadjacent'their forward' ends by a horizontal frame" member I11. Dependingfromthe frame member I11, adj acent: the ends thereof; isapairofbrackaets I18 preferably formed of channel iron.. Tubular guide membersI 19 are provided with flanges I80 which rest against the forward faceof the member I11 andiare there held by suitable fastening means asindicated at I8I'. Secured to the members I18 in alignment with.the-tubular. guides I19is a pair of threaded fixed nuts I82 having.flanges I 83 which are secured bysuitable means as at' I84 to the lowerendsofthe brackets I18. Similarly the rear portions of the members I16are connected by aho-rizontalmember I85 which carries brackets I86;Guide members I81 are supportedby the member I85 andifixed nuts I88.aresupportediby the bracketsJflBi Through: each of the guide members 2 I 19and. I81 extends a leg I89 and the lower ends of these legs rest on theupper ends of'adjustingl' screws lafllwhichi are screwed through thestationary'nuts; I82i'andi I88'and are held in:adjusted position by.the-lock. nuts I9I. At each side oft thestripping mechanismthe upperends of'the legs I89 areconnected by a: channelzbar' I 92 forming. amoldsupport. Extending upwardlyfrom therear end of:each of the members I16is a bracket'l93 carrying on its upper end an arcuate' camIS'ALhaVingJits upper surface beveled to form cam surfaces: I85inclining downwardly in both directions from: the central portion: of:the cams Referring now especially toxFigureiS. Attached to the forward?leg; of each of: the members. I56 and I51ris: an angle: bracket I596which carries an outerhousing plate: I91'offL set at'its forward endras.at I98 and" suitably-secured by rivets or bolts I99 to the forwardend ofan inner housing plat'ei2fl0soifset at itsrear' endE-asiat': 201 andsecured". by." rivets 202or. bolts towthe bracket I36 and'irear end ofthe plate I91. Connection to housing plates thus form averticallyextending rectangular tube. Theiupper' portions :offthe middle parts oftheselplates'are held in proper spaced relation by a rivet 203 .or othersecuring means andthis securing means passes through a spacingsleeve 204located between the plates I 91 and 200 and thus holding them inproperlyspaced re-' lation. On: each of the plates I91 isa bearing boss 205 andin these bearing bosses is journaled a shaft-206; This shaft passesthroughthe parallel sides of the housing andfixed thereon in each ofthehousings is a gear 201? which: meshes with the rock portion 208" of a:lifter rod 209 supported for a vertical guiding movement in the rearendofthe housingsrespectively. The lower ends-of'the lifter rods 209"are connectedby a transversemember 210 havingsat its ends forwardlyextending legs Z'I I whicharerivetedor otherwise secured to saidlifterrods 209; Fixed to the bar 2'! [land equally spaced from' the centerthereof is a pair of upstanding steady rests 2I2.

In order that the shaft 206 may be operated.-

when and as desired there is provided on'the right" hand end of thisshaft a clutch member 2I3carrying a key2I4 which moves in a splineway215 out in the shaft 206. Rotatably mountedon the shaft 2iifi is the hub216- of a beltpulley 2I1 driven by any suitable means. Carried by thehub 2 I6 is a hollow clutch member 2 IS, the two members 213- and 216forming a cone clutch. The member 2I3 is provided with a recess 2I9-atits outer end and surrounding the shaft 206 is a spring 220 which seatsat one end in the recess 219 and at its other end against the hub H6 atthe bottom of the hollow clutch member 218; A- collar 22 I is securedonthe end of the shaft 206 by aMorse taper'pin 222. or other suitablemeans so thatwthe wheel. hub cannot move. off

of the shaft. Mounted 011.171'165. framermember. I51 is a bracketr223whereonis pivoted ashipper: lever 224 carrying at its lower end a.shipperfork.225-. Thisfork; 225,v carries inwardly projecting-pins226whereon are-.mounted rollers 221 whichtwork in ashipper.groovei228formed in the;

member 213. Azstop pin 229 is; mounted on the member I51 and the lever221 may be sprung to lie on either side of the stop, pin; This lever isbest seen inFigures 1and'9;being.omitted: from;

Figure I the rods 209' are left unsupported and certain'of the rodshavethe parts attached there'- tocausing the racks" 208 to effectreversemovement ofthe shaft206, this beingpossible because of the shaft:being free to revolve; independently:

of; the belt pulley 2I1.

In order to hold the member I65 in its lowered position manuallyoperable means are provided. To this end bearings 230.:are fixedrto themembers I56. and I51 adjacent the upper ends thereof. These bearingssupport a; shaft 2.3L which pro jectsthroughafiange of the-member I56and is provided on its projeetingend'with an operating lever 232; Alatchbracket 233 isfixed to the member: I56. and" isrso positioned'thatwhen the lever 232i lies on-one sideof' the; bracket 233 the shaft 23Iwis in inoperable position while when the lever 232 lies on the otherside of the bracket the shaft 23I, isin operable position: Fixed ontheshaft 23l" is a, pair of arms;234'. each of which carries at itsfree'end-alatching head 235 which, asiseemin Figure 12 seats on'top-of arespective memberIM when the latter is in: its downward position. Themembers I 64: are prevented from too great downward movement by anysuitable stop meanssuch asa pin 236- adapted to rest ontop of the guidelfiI; It will nowbe seen that Upon when the member I65 is in itsloweredposition and the lever 233 is in: the position shown in Figure 11; theheads-23.5 will'engage'on the members I64" and these members will beprevented from rising so. long as the lever 232 remains in said'position. However, when the lever-232 is thrown" into theposition shownin Figure 10 by springingitover the-bracket 233 the heads 235 will belifted out of the path of the members I6'4'and: member' I65 may then beraised until the-latches IBSengage-and hold it inlatched position;Obviously the member I65 is released when desired-by pressing upwardlyon thehandle I10 and thus freeing the latches I68 fromengagement withsaidmember I65;

In order to effectively operate the stripping device, the molds usedhereinare of special construction. All-of these molds'have certainfeatures in common. Reference being now had to" of the mold at the lowerpart thereof is an angle'member or bracket 238 having a-vertical' leg239 which lies flat against'the mold end and is secured thereto each bythe screws 24!). This. bracket also has a horizontal leg 24!; Projectingfrom the leg 239 in spaced relation to the leg 24! is a'supporting baror bracket 242 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the leg239. At each end of this bracket 242 is a pintle 243. At each end of themold is a frame indicated in general at 244' and this frame includes alower part having a pair of vertical legs 245 connected at their lowerends by a transverse member 246. In the legs 245 are provided a pair ofvertically extending slots 24'! wherein the pintles are received, theframe being thus slidably and rockably mounted on the fixed pintles243.- At the upper ends of the legs 245 the frame is provided withoutwardly extending horizontal 1- portions 249 and at the outer ends ofthe portions 248 are upwardly extending vertical portions 249' and 256.Portion 249 may be termed the front upper side portion and is of uniformwidth throughout its height. The portion 259 may be termed the rearupperside portion and tapers from its lower end upwardly to increase in widthand forms a stop-wall 25!. These portions 249 and 256 are connected byan upper transverse member 269 having a lip 26!" which extends slightlyover the end 'of the mold body in normal position as can well'be seen inFigures 14 and 15. Below the bracket 242 and extending downwardlytherefromis a pair of guide rods 262 which are slidably mounted insuitable openings in the transverse member 246 and are provided at theirupper ends with heads 263 whichv bear against the underside of themember 242. Surrounding each of these-'rods 262 is a coiled compressionspring 264 which constantly urges the frame 244 downwardly so that thelip 26! is urged toward the top of the mold body. In Figures l4 and 15there is shown-atop or covering pallet. 265 which is slightly longerthan the mold body" for which, in the positionthere 'shown, is grippedat each end by the lip 26 I. Now, as will behereinafter explained, at acertain period in the operation the frames 244 are slightly raised. Ofcourse in filling and tamping the pallet 265' is not in position tocover the mold but just before stripping operation this pallet is put inposition. This is accomplished because of the fact that the frames 244are slightly raised thus leaving sufficient space between the lips 26!and the top of the mold body to slide the pallet in from the front, thestop members 25! limiting the movement of the pallet rearwar'dly andthus positioning it in proper place so thatwhen the frames 244' againdescend under the influence of the springs 264 the pallet 265 will begripped and held to cover the mold.

In order to keep the frames from accidentally tilting the followingmeans is provided. Secured to each of the flanges 24! is an arm' 266having a slotted opening 261 in its outer end. Through this slottedopening extends a bar'268 the lower portion of which is curved sc'thatits lower end 269 lies substantially horizontal and passes through therespective frame 244 between the springs 264. Fixed to the center of themember 246 is a guide pin 216 which extends through an opening 21!formed in the end 269. A coiled compression spring 212 surrounds the pin21!! and bears at its upper endagainst the underside of the end 269 andat its lower end against the frame member 246. The end 269 projectssufliciently far through the frame so that a beveled nose 213 formedthereon may normally bear against the outermost mold supporting bar 46.'The upper end of the bar 268 projects normally above the arm 266 and isprovided with a lip 214 limiting its downward movement; It will now beseen that with the parts as shown in Figures 14 and l5'the nose 213prevents the frame 244 from swinging in such direction as to free thetop pallet 265. If, however, the nose 213 be disengaged from thesupporting bar 246 then the frame 244 can swing on the pintles 243 so asto release said pallet. Each lower longitudinal edge of the mold body ispreferably reinforced withan angle member 215 and the bottom of the moldmay be further reinforced by a plate 216 if desired. The angle members215 are attached to the mold as by screws 211. One of the angle members215 is located at the front of the mold and to this angle member isattached a pair of brackets 218 which are inclined downwardly and carryat their outer ends pintles 219. On each of the outer members of the endmembers 46 of the mold support there is provided a bracket 289 having atits outer end an upstanding portion 28! provided with a vertical slot282 open at thextop and having a flaring mouth. The pintles 219' engagein these slots upon the mold being supported on the members 46 but arepreferably slightly above the bottom of the slots. The 'coaction of thepintles'and slots serves to'accurately position the mold on the moldcarrier.

In general each of the molds is divided by transverse partitions'toproduce a series of cells or pockets 283. In each of these pockets 283there is a false bottom 284 fitting closely between the pocket'walls andattached to each false bottom is a; socket member 285 wherein which theupper end of a push rod 286, the push rod being secured in the socketby'any desired means as by the pin.

281. On the bottom of the mold and in alignment below each socket 285 issecured a tubular guide member 288 and the mold bottom 236 is providedwith an opening 289 aligned with theguide memher 288. The rods 286 passthrough the openings 289 and guide members 288 and have their projectingends threaded as at 290 for the reception of an adjusting nut 29! andlock nut 292. The nut 29!; by its adjustment on the threaded end 299,limits the extent of movement of the rod 286 through its guide member288, the nut contacting with the end of the guide member to effect suchlimitation of movement. By this means adjustment is made so that thefalse bottom 284 may move under operating conditions sufliciently tocause plastic material filling the mold above the false bottom to bepositioned entirely out of the mold. Obviously wear of the upper edgesof the mold may be compensated by adjustment of this nut 29!. The locknut 292 serves in the usual manner for preventing the nut 29! frommoving from its adjusted position. Through the mold bottom 236 undereach of the false bottoms 284 passes a set of supporting bolts 293 andthese bolts have nuts 294 threaded thereon to rest on the upper surfacesof the bottom 236, the heads 295 of the bolts engaging the undersurfaces of the false bottoms 284. By the adjustment of these bolts themovement of the false bottom 284 toward the bottom 236 is limited andthus the desired depth is obtained for the block to be molded in theparticular mold used.

Referring again the Figures 1 and 4 to 12 inclusive, the normal positionof the mold is indicated in Figures 4 and 10. It will there be seen thatthe rotation of the mold'carrier has caused the bot- -the cams I94. This*slightly lifts'the'frames 244 so that the pallet 265 can now beinserted. The mold is now ready for inversion. The moldjbeing manuallygrasped, israised off of the supports 46 in such manner that the pintles2'I9 move downwardly to fit in the bottom of the slots 282, the backside of the mold being raised to a greater extent than the forward side.As soon as this raising takes place the springs 264 force the frames 244downwardly and the lips 26I clamp on the pallet 265 thus holding thepallet securely to the mold. The mold is now swung manually about theaxis of the pintles 219 until it moves through substantially and takesan inverted position with the pallet 265 resting on the stripper framemembers or table I92. The push rods 286 now project upwardly from thebottom of the mold and these push rods and the members I66 of thestripper are so positioned that upon this inversion of the mold they arein alignment with each other. The handles I10 are now operated torelease the member I65 which drops downwardly and brings the heads I66into contact with the ends of the members 286. Next the lever 232 isoperated to lock the member I65 in its lowered position. The clutchmember 2I3 is now moved by the lever 232 to engage the clutch member 2I8and the shaft 206 is thereby caused to rotate and raise the push rods269. in inverted position, the bars 268 align with the members 209. Theupward movement of these members causes engagement with the ends of thebars 268 and pushes these bars upwardly. Now at this time the noses 213are, of course, free from the members 46 so that the frames 244 may tiltand these frames tilt to the position shown in Figure l, the mold bodybeing raised by the further upward movement of the members 209 until theparts assume the position shown in Figure '7. The tilting movement ofthe frames 244 frees the pallet 266 and, since the rods 286 are incontact with the heads I66 the body of the mold can move upwardly whilethe false bottoms 284 are restrained from movement so that moldedblocks, indicated in Figure 7 at M are ejected from the mold to lie onthe pallet 265. The latter, with the molded blocks thereon, may then beremoved and taken to any suitable place for drying. When the mold hasbeen lifted to a sufficient height the clutch 2 I3 is released aspreviously described. In the lifting movement of the mold the pintles219 pass out of the slots 282 as shown in Figure 11 but when themovement is reversed these pintles again take position in the slots 282and the now empty mold may be again inverted in the opposite directionto take its normal position on the supporting arms or members 46, thefalse bottoms dropping through gravity into their load receivingpositions. the steady rests 2I2 engage the side of the mold to the rearof the stripping device and thus prevent rocking of the mold on the endsof the bars 299. With the inversion of the mold to its normal positionthe springs 212 and 264 act to restore the frames 244 to their normalposition. Further revolution of the mold carrier now takes place and themold is moved to station F at which place it may be replaced by anothermold or cleaned in its present position. From the station F the nextmovement of the mold carrier brings the mold again under the filling andtamping means.

What I claim is:

When the mold is During the lifting movement 1. In :a block moldingmachine, a mold carrier including a fixed base, a journal member fixedon said base and projecting upwardly therefrom, a tubular body membersurrounding said journal-member, aplurality of sets-of'parallel armscarried by and arranged in circumferentially spaced positions about saidbody member, each set for supporting a mold, upper and lower trackguides carried by the journal member for supporting the body member forrotation on the journal member, and means to rotate the body member.

2. In a block molding machine, a mold carrier including a fixed base, ajournal member fixed on said base and projecting upwardly therefrom, atubular body member surrounding said journal member, a plurality of setsof parallel arms carried by and arranged in circumferentially spacedpositions about said body member, annular track guides supported by thejournal member at the lower and upper ends thereof, annular trackscarried by the body member and coacting with the track guides to supportthe body member rotatably from the journal member, and means to rotatesaid body member 3. In a block molding machine, a mold carrier includinga fixed base, a journal member fixed on said base and projectingupwardly therefrom, a tubular body member surrounding said journalmember, a plurality of sets of parallel arms carried by the body member,said sets being arranged in circumferentially spaced positions aboutsaid body member, an annular angle member attached to the lower end ofthe journal member and forming an outwardly extending peripheral flangeon said journal member, an annular guide on the upper face of saidflange and having beveled side faces, an annular track fixed to thelower end of said body member and having a groove on its under surfacehaving beveled sides, said groove fitting on said guide, an annularguide on the upper end of said journal member and having beveled sidefaces, a closure on the upper end of said body member, an annular trackfixed to said closure and having a groove in its under side providedwith beveled side walls and fitting on the last mentioned guide, andmeans to rotate said body member.

4. In a block molding machine, a mold carrier including a fixed base, ajournal member fixed on said base and projecting upwardly therefrom, atubular body member surrounding said journal member, a plurality of setsof parallel arms carried by the body member, said sets being arranged incircumferentially spaced positions about said body member, an annularangle member attached to the lower end of the journal member and formingan outwardly extending peripheral flange on said journal member, anannular guide on the upper face of said flange and having beveled sidefaces, an annular track fixed to the lower end of said body member andhaving a groove on its under surface having beveled sides, said groovefitting on said guide, an annular guide on the upper end of said journalmember and having beveled side faces, a closure on the upper end of saidbody member, an annular track fixed to said closure and having a groovein its under side provided with beveled side walls and fitting on, thelast mentioned guide, an annular bevel gear supported from, the

lower end of saidbody member, a driving pinion 5. In a block moldingmachine, a mold carrier 75 for moving a mold along a fixedpath, a moldsupported on said carrier, coacting means on the carrier and moldsupporting said mold for swinging through a vertical arc to invert themold, a pallet adapted to cover the top of the mold on the carrier,pallet clamping means carried by said mold and movable to lift above andengage with the pallet when on the mold, and means adjacent the path ofsaid carrier engaging said clamping means to raise them for placing ofthe pallet.

GEORGE E. WILSON.

